Center News Magazine: Peter Scardino Awarded Barringer Medal

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Peter T. Scardino

Peter T. Scardino, Chair of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Department Surgery and incumbent of the David H. Koch Chair, was awarded the Barringer Medal from the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons for his distinguished contributions to urology.

Dr. Scardino is a urologist who is an internationally recognized expert in the prognosis, early detection, and treatment of prostate cancer. He and his team have developed nomograms to predict the results of treatment, imaging studies to improve staging, and new techniques that lead to better outcomes after surgery for prostatecancer. He is the principal investigator of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s SPORE in prostate cancer, a large grant from the NCI to support collaborative research between basic scientists and physicians. In 1999 he became the inaugural Chair of the Department of Urology, and he was named to his current position in 2006.

The Barringer Medal was created in 1954 and named in honor of Benjamin S. Barringer, the first Chief of Urology at Memorial Hospital. Dr. Barringer was an early advocate of what is now known as brachytherapy and, in 1915, attempted to treat prostate cancer by placing radium needles within the gland. Previous recipients of the Barringer Medal include two former Chiefs of Urology at Memorial Sloan Kettering: Willet F. Whitmore, Jr. (in 1976), and William R. Fair (in 1997).

brachytherapy (BRAY-kee-THAYR-uh-pee)

A type of radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also called implant radiation therapy, internal radiation therapy, and radiation brachytherapy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

gland (gland)

An organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, or milk. Endocrine glands release the substances directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands release the substances into a duct or opening to the inside or outside of the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

imaging (IH-muh-jing)

In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

investigator (in-VES-tih-gay-ter)

A researcher in a clinical trial or clinical study.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

NCI

NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research. It conducts, coordinates, and funds cancer research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Access the NCI Web site at . Also called National Cancer Institute.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

prognosis (prog-NO-sis)

The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

prostate (PROS-tayt)

A gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the part of the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) just below the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of the semen.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

prostate cancer (PROS-tayt KAN-ser)

Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

staging (STAY-jing)

Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

surgery (SER-juh-ree)

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

urologist (yoo-RAH-loh-jist)

A doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary organs in females and the urinary and sex organs in males.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)